EPA 608 Practice Test – All Sections (Core, Type I, II & III)
The EPA Section 608 certification exam tests technicians on federal regulations governing the purchase, handling, and disposal of refrigerants used in stationary HVAC&R equipment. There are four exam sections: Core (universal rules), Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure systems), and Type III (low-pressure systems). Any technician who buys or works with regulated refrigerants must hold the appropriate certification.
| Exam fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sections | Core, Type I, Type II, Type III (Universal = all four passed) |
| Questions per section | 25 per section (Core + one or more Type sections on same sitting) |
| Passing score | 70% (18 of 25 correct per section) |
| Open book? | Type I only may be taken open-book and non-proctored online; Core, Type II, and Type III are closed-book and proctored |
| Certification validity | No expiration — EPA 608 certification does not expire |
EPA 608 Practice Test — 25 Questions (All Sections)
These are original practice questions written for study purposes. They are not real exam questions, leaked questions, or official EPA exam content.
1. Which federal law gives the EPA authority to regulate the handling of refrigerants?
A. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
B. The Safe Drinking Water Act
C. The Clean Air Act
D. The National Environmental Policy Act
Show answer
Answer: C. Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits the knowing venting of ozone-depleting and substitute refrigerants and authorizes the EPA to regulate their purchase, recovery, and disposal.
2. Which of the following is the correct definition of “refrigerant recovery”?
A. Cleaning refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards on-site
B. Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it
C. Destroying refrigerant using an approved incineration method
D. Recharging a system with virgin refrigerant after a repair
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Answer: B. Recovery means removing refrigerant and storing it in an approved container; it does not require on-site cleaning or testing, which distinguishes it from recycling and reclamation.
3. Refrigerant is considered “reclaimed” when it has been:
A. Recovered and stored in an approved DOT cylinder
B. Cleaned on-site using a system-dependent recovery machine
C. Reprocessed to AHRI 700 purity standards and verified by a certified laboratory
D. Transferred from one system to another of the same owner
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Answer: C. Reclamation requires reprocessing refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards (formerly ARI 700) and having purity verified by an EPA-certified reclaimer — a higher standard than either recovery or recycling.
4. Technicians who violate EPA Section 608 regulations may face civil penalties of up to how much per day, per violation?
A. $500
B. $5,000
C. $25,000
D. $44,539
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Answer: D. The EPA adjusts maximum civil penalties periodically for inflation under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act; the current maximum is approximately $44,539 per day per violation, making this the correct answer among the choices shown.
5. Which appliance class has a refrigerant charge of 5 pounds or less and uses a hermetically sealed compressor?
A. Type II (high-pressure) appliance
B. Type III (low-pressure) appliance
C. Type I (small appliance)
D. Universal appliance
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Answer: C. Type I covers small appliances — those with a charge of 5 lb or less using a hermetically sealed compressor — such as household refrigerators, window air conditioners, and packaged terminal units.
6. A low-pressure refrigerant is defined by the EPA as one whose boiling point at atmospheric pressure is:
A. Below −50 °C (−58 °F)
B. Between −50 °C and 10 °C (−58 °F to 50 °F)
C. Above 10 °C (50 °F)
D. Above 0 °C (32 °F) only
Show answer
Answer: C. The EPA defines low-pressure appliances as those using refrigerants with a boiling point above 10 °C (50 °F) at atmospheric pressure; R-11 and R-113 are classic examples.
7. R-410A is classified as which type of appliance refrigerant under EPA Section 608?
A. Low-pressure
B. High-pressure
C. Very high-pressure
D. Small-appliance only
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Answer: B. R-410A has a boiling point between −50 °C and 10 °C (−58 °F and 50 °F), placing it in the high-pressure category covered by Type II certification.
8. A very high-pressure refrigerant has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of:
A. Above 10 °C (50 °F)
B. Between −50 °C and 10 °C (−58 °F and 50 °F)
C. Below −50 °C (−58 °F)
D. Exactly 0 °C (32 °F)
Show answer
Answer: C. Very high-pressure refrigerants — such as R-744 (CO₂) — have boiling points below −50 °C (−58 °F) and present unique high-pressure safety considerations.
9. Which of the following refrigerants is an example of a low-pressure refrigerant used in centrifugal chillers?
A. R-22
B. R-410A
C. R-11
D. R-404A
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Answer: C. R-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) was widely used in large centrifugal chillers and is a low-pressure refrigerant with a boiling point well above 10 °C (50 °F) at atmospheric pressure.
10. Before disposing of a small appliance (Type I), a technician must recover refrigerant using equipment that achieves what minimum recovery efficiency?
A. 80% of the charge
B. 90% of the charge
C. 95% of the charge
D. 100% of the charge
Show answer
Answer: B. EPA regulations require that recovery equipment used on small appliances capture at least 90% of the refrigerant charge before the appliance is disposed of.
11. The “de minimis” exemption under Section 608 allows refrigerant to be released only when:
A. The release is accidental and unavoidable during normal operation
B. The amount is less than 1 pound
C. The release occurs while purging hoses or making connections, and the amounts are as small as possible
D. There is no exemption — all releases are prohibited
Show answer
Answer: C. The de minimis exemption permits the release of refrigerant in very small quantities that are unavoidable when making or breaking connections with a system, provided technicians minimize the release to the greatest extent practicable.
12. Refrigerant cylinders must NOT be filled above what percentage of their total capacity by weight?
A. 60%
B. 80%
C. 90%
D. 100%
Show answer
Answer: B. DOT regulations prohibit filling recovery cylinders above 80% of their total capacity by weight to allow for liquid expansion and prevent hydrostatic rupture.
13. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the transfer of refrigerant between systems owned by the same person?
A. It is always considered reclamation
B. It is permitted without recovery equipment if no refrigerant is vented
C. It is prohibited unless the refrigerant meets AHRI 700 purity standards
D. It requires the technician to hold a Universal certification
Show answer
Answer: B. The EPA allows a system owner to transfer refrigerant between their own systems without first reclaiming it, provided the transfer does not result in venting and the refrigerant is not sold.
14. Which organization certifies refrigerant reclaimers and sets the purity standard used by the EPA?
A. ASHRAE
B. AHRI (using AHRI 700)
C. UL
D. NATE
Show answer
Answer: B. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) publishes the AHRI 700 standard that defines acceptable purity levels for reclaimed refrigerants, and the EPA requires reclaimed refrigerant to meet this standard.
15. What must a technician do when an appliance with a refrigerant charge greater than 50 pounds is found to have a leak that exceeds the allowable annual leak rate?
A. Immediately recover all refrigerant and scrap the equipment
B. Retrofit or retire the equipment within 1 year, or repair the leak within 30 days
C. Report the leak to the EPA within 24 hours
D. Add refrigerant to maintain system pressure and continue operation
Show answer
Answer: B. EPA regulations require that owners of equipment with charges greater than 50 lb that exceed allowable leak rates either repair the leak within 30 days of discovery or, if repair is not feasible, retrofit or retire the equipment within one year.
16. Which of the following refrigerants is an HFC and is NOT ozone-depleting?
A. R-22
B. R-11
C. R-134a
D. R-502
Show answer
Answer: C. R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) containing no chlorine or bromine, giving it zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP), though it does have a high global warming potential (GWP).
17. Recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization. Which of the following is one such organization?
A. NATE
B. AHRI
C. OSHA
D. ASHRAE
Show answer
Answer: B. The EPA requires recovery and recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, to be tested and certified by an EPA-approved organization; AHRI is one of the approved equipment testing organizations.
18. A technician is recovering refrigerant from a Type II appliance that is NOT being taken out of service. The technician’s recovery equipment was manufactured after November 15, 1993. The technician must pull the system down to the required evacuation level before opening the system. Which statement about required evacuation levels is MOST accurate?
A. All systems require the same vacuum level regardless of refrigerant type
B. Required evacuation levels vary based on the type of refrigerant and size of the appliance
C. No evacuation is required if the system will be recharged the same day
D. Only low-pressure systems require evacuation to a vacuum
Show answer
Answer: B. EPA regulations establish different evacuation levels (measured in inches of mercury vacuum or millibars) depending on the refrigerant type, the system charge size, and whether the equipment will be returned to service — technicians must know the specific level for their system.
19. Mixing different refrigerants in a single recovery cylinder is:
A. Permitted if both refrigerants are HFCs
B. Permitted if the cylinder is color-coded yellow
C. Generally prohibited because the resulting mixture cannot be reclaimed to AHRI 700 standards
D. Permitted with owner approval
Show answer
Answer: C. Mixed refrigerants cannot be separated and reclaimed to AHRI 700 purity standards, so mixing different refrigerants in the same recovery cylinder is prohibited and typically results in the mixture being destroyed.
20. What color is used to identify a recovery cylinder intended for use with any refrigerant (the “universal” DOT recovery cylinder color)?
A. Green
B. Blue
C. Gray body with yellow top
D. White
Show answer
Answer: C. DOT regulations specify that recovery cylinders should be painted gray on the body with a yellow top to indicate they contain used/mixed refrigerant and to distinguish them from new-refrigerant cylinders.
21. Under EPA Section 608, who is responsible for ensuring refrigerant is recovered before servicing a system?
A. The equipment manufacturer
B. The refrigerant wholesaler
C. The certified technician performing the work
D. The building owner exclusively
Show answer
Answer: C. The EPA places responsibility for proper refrigerant recovery on the certified technician performing the service; technicians cannot delegate this responsibility to owners or non-certified personnel.
22. Which of the following correctly describes the “system-dependent” recovery process used with small appliances?
A. An external recovery machine pulls refrigerant into a separate cylinder
B. The appliance’s own compressor is used to assist in moving refrigerant to the recovery device
C. Refrigerant is vented to a dedicated building exhaust system
D. The technician uses a vacuum pump to evacuate refrigerant to atmosphere
Show answer
Answer: B. System-dependent (passive) recovery relies on the appliance’s own compressor or system pressure to move refrigerant into a recovery cylinder or container, and is an accepted method for Type I small appliances.
23. Which of the following refrigerants is a blend classified as an HCFC and still subject to EPA phaseout requirements?
A. R-134a
B. R-410A
C. R-22
D. R-744
Show answer
Answer: C. R-22 (chlorodifluoromethane) is an HCFC with ozone-depletion potential; its production and import for new equipment were phased out in the U.S. as of January 1, 2010, and its production for all uses was phased out January 1, 2020.
24. A technician who knowingly vents a refrigerant that is subject to Section 608 regulations could face which consequence?
A. Verbal warning only on a first offense
B. Loss of Section 608 certification and civil or criminal penalties
C. A mandatory retake of the certification exam
D. No penalty if the amount vented is less than 5 pounds
Show answer
Answer: B. Knowingly venting regulated refrigerants is a federal violation that can result in revocation of Section 608 certification, substantial civil penalties, and in egregious cases, criminal prosecution.
25. Where can technicians find the official EPA Section 608 regulations and program information?
A. The ASHRAE website only
B. State licensing board websites
C. The EPA’s official Section 608 webpage
D. The refrigerant manufacturer’s product data sheets
Show answer
Answer: C. The authoritative source for Section 608 rules, technician certification requirements, and program updates is the EPA’s official Section 608 webpage, which technicians should consult for the most current regulatory information.
Key facts to memorize
- Three Rs defined: Recovery = remove and store; Recycling = clean on-site for reuse; Reclamation = reprocess to AHRI 700 purity standards verified by a certified lab.
- Appliance classes by boiling point (in Celsius): Low-pressure above 10 °C (50 °F); High-pressure between −50 °C and 10 °C (−58 °F to 50 °F); Very high-pressure below −50 °C (−58 °F).
- Type I small appliance: Hermetically sealed compressor, charge ≤ 5 lb; Type I exam may be taken open-book and non-proctored online through approved programs.
- Recovery cylinder fill limit: Never exceed 80% of total capacity by weight to allow for liquid expansion.
- Passing score: 70% (18 of 25) per section; Core, Type II, and Type III are closed-book and proctored.
- Certification never expires — EPA 608 certification has no renewal requirement, though technicians are responsible for staying current with regulatory changes.
- Leak repair requirement: Systems with charges greater than 50 lb that exceed allowable leak rates must be repaired within 30 days, or the equipment must be retrofitted or retired within one year.
- Mixing refrigerants in recovery cylinders is prohibited — mixed refrigerant cannot be reclaimed to AHRI 700 standards and is typically destroyed.
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Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the EPA 608 exam and what is the passing score?
Each section (Core, Type I, Type II, Type III) contains 25 questions. You must answer at least 18 correctly — a 70% score — to pass each section. To earn Universal certification you must pass all four sections, which can be done in one sitting.
Can I take the EPA 608 exam online?
The Type I (small appliance) section may be taken online in a non-proctored, open-book format through EPA-approved testing organizations. The Core, Type II, and Type III sections must be taken in a closed-book, proctored environment. Check with an approved testing organization for current scheduling options.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
No. EPA Section 608 technician certification does not have an expiration date and does not require periodic renewal. However, technicians are responsible for keeping up with changes to EPA regulations, as ignorance of updated rules is not a legal defense.
What is the difference between an HFC and an HCFC refrigerant?
HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), such as R-22, contain chlorine and have measurable ozone-depletion potential, making them subject to EPA phaseout schedules. HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), such as R-134a and R-410A, contain no chlorine or bromine and have zero ozone-depletion potential, but many have high global warming potential and are subject to other EPA regulations under the AIM Act.